One man has been reported dead and 17 others injured after a mob armed with machetes, iron bars, bottles and other weapons invaded a Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) rally.
The rally was held in Kwekwe on Sunday and the mob attacked the people from the back whilst Nelson Chamisa was delivering a speech. Whilst Chamisa’s security rushed to protect him from harm, the CCC youth were encouraged to retaliate and stand their ground as the attackers were not a part of them.
The CCC youth managed to repel the gang who were suspected to be ZanuPF supporters. The supporter who was killed on Saturday afternoon has been identified as Mbongeni Ncube. He was 35 years of age. CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere accused Zanu-PF of causing the violence.
“Sadly, one person has suffered fatal injuries at the Yellow Kwekwe where Zanu PF unleashed an orgy of violence in the middle of President Chamisa’s speech. The deceased (name withheld) was pierced in the side. The Zanu-PF thug used a spear. Rest in Peace.
Red Cross staffers have administered first aid to our bleeding supporters following violent attacks by Zanu-PF thugs wielding machetes and iron bars. Many were hospitalized.
President Nelson Chamisa has called on our members to remain calm. Police are protecting the thugs.” she said
Mahere also said in another Tweet:
“Zanu-PF thugs have unleashed an orgy of violence onto our supporters at the Yellow Kwekwe rally. Many have been brutally injured. The attackers charged at our supports with metal bars and weapons.”
The incident in Kwekwe was not the first time a CCC was interrupted. On Saturday, police fired teargas and used water cannons to disperse his supporters in Gokwe. The police justified tear-gassing and beating CCC supporters by saying the rally was banned and that they lacked the personnel to supervise the rally properly.
The events come after the country’s vice president Constantino Chiwenga said the ruling party would “crush” the opposition like one would crush fleas with a rock.
Below is a snippet of the moment when the mob attacked CCC supporters at the Kwekwe rally